About the game
New hobby
During the lockdown in Europe I was searching for some analog games, that can be played alone and work with imagination and don't need fancy graphics, boards or other stuff. So I discovered dice & paper games, which use just a few dices and some decision tables. I don't know why, but after baseball and similar sport games, I stumbled over horse racing games, got hooked and now you are reading this page here.
Inspiration
There are already numerous horse racing games available today—hundreds and more. Some feature printed game boards with tiny horses and fences, while others are virtual simulations for PCs and other platforms. There are also online multiplayer platforms where you can breed, train, and race horses against other people. Endless variations of pen and dice games can be found on discussion boards, such as Delphi forums, and other websites that have been around for many years.
One of the best and also inspiration for my own game is Top of the stretch by Lon Whitehead and Fast Action Horse Racing by Patrick Premo, both are still available to purchase and my absolute personal favorites!
Detailed races
However, I desired a game that would encompass a complete race with all its intricacies, not just a quick, results-based one. I envisioned a race where you can observe the progress of each horse, visualize its position on the track, and experience unexpected surprises. But I wanted to accomplish all of this without the need for a printed board, drawings, game pieces, online registration, or device installations.
That's why I embarked on creating my own miniature Thoroughbred racing game. All you need is a pen, paper, two standard dice, the decision tables, and some straightforward number calculations that anyone can solve mentally—making it accessible to all. If you prefer, you can also play it on a board (either printed or hand-drawn) for a more immersive experience.
I am deliberately avoiding looking at other existing games and ideas while developing my own personal game. It's enjoyable to brainstorm and tinker with this project independently. I don't have specific plans or goals for it; it's more of a fun hobby alongside my daily life. Undoubtedly, there are superior horse racing games available, but if you enjoy playing my game, you're more than welcome to do so!
Limitations
Due to licensing and trademark challenges, I use randomized horse names and values, as well as fictitious tracks and conditions. It's regrettable that I cannot base the game on real horses and races, but I made this decision to create my own race series and avoid any legal issues.
No bets
Currently, there is no betting component included in the game. I have chosen not to incorporate gambling for money as I personally don't favor that aspect, and I have no plans to introduce it in the near future.